Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
The towing ratings are suggestions. The 3500-lb limit on a number of them is that the OEM's don't really test them, they'd rather you buy a pickup, etc. What kind of towing is the real question, and many/most can be fitted with a proper weight-distribution hitch that makes them overall compatible, even better than some pickups due to better vehicle performance dynamics (pickups are roll-over prone, etc).
Climate, terrain, expected load and expected distances all play their part. The tow vehicle [TV] may need better wheels/tires, shocks, a trans cooler, etc than as equipped from factory. Other than that, the best choice of a TV comes down to the one best suited for solo duties. Focus there, first.
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My Nissan has a 3500lb tow rating, with its bumper, I did tow more than that a few times, but it didn't handle it very well. The brakes mostly. It would do better with a better trailer/hitch setupSolo duties, 3 miles to work and back, errends my wife sends me on, usually short trips under 3 miles one way. The occasional trip to the larger hardware store 60 miles away, with an even less frequent trip to the U-Pull for Jeep parts 80 miles away. 3-4 times a year recovering a friends broken vehicle, or my broken Jeep.
I could see getting something like my wifes accord to tow 3500lbs, but with the unibody, and front weel drive I would have reservations about how long it would handle the stress without having to reinforce it.
I would put an upgraded tranmission cooler on any automatic I would use for towing, I have seen too many overheat even without hauling loads. I prefer a manual, but they are getting so hard to find new anymore.
Climate: hot dry dusty, mountains, desert, occasional snow (the last couple of years were pretty bad), often not the best roads.
I have done some pretty "stupid" things with both my truck and the Jeep, and have yet to roll either one. The whole roll over hazard for these is way overblown.